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You raised the capital. You’ve got the tools. Now comes the test... can you lead through acceleration?
AI is rewriting the rules of productivity, but the fundamentals of leadership remain the same. The right capital (and the right mindset) still multiply your mission. The wrong ones multiply your mistakes.
In this episode of the For You Leaders mini-series, Kirk Dando and Spencer Traver close out their three-part journey on 'Capital & The Climb' by exploring what it means to lead, invest, and build in an AI-driven world.
You’ll hear from five iconic founders and investors who’ve scaled, sold, and sustained through disruption — and what they’re learning now as technology, timing, and teams evolve faster than ever:
- Mitchell Green — Founder of Lead Edge Capital, on discipline, “strike zones,” and the 8 criteria for healthy growth.
- Julie Maples — Co-founder of FYRFLY Ventures, on AI volatility, capital hangovers, and asking the right questions.
- Gregg Kaplan — Founder of Redbox, on the power of prioritization, trust, and ripple effects of great teams.
- Brett Hurt — Founder of data.world and Bazaarvoice, on timing, truth, and the trio every founding team needs: someone who can sell, build, and serve.
- Dug Song — Co-founder of Duo Security, on “creative impatience” and why AI is just cognitive acceleration — not a replacement for leadership.
Together, they reveal how AI doesn’t replace leaders; it reveals them. The best CEOs stay grounded in fundamentals, disciplined in execution, and human in connection — because no one climbs alone.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
- Use AI as a productivity multiplier without losing your people edge.
- Define your company’s “strike zone” and stay disciplined in the climb.
- Lead through uncertainty with empathy, conviction, and truth.
- Build partnerships and coaching relationships that sustain you through the hard parts of growth.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Intro: Capital & The Climb
07:00 – AI’s Impact on Capital & Leadership
34:00 – Building Teams That Meaningfully Last
47:00 – Creative Impatience: AI as Cognitive Acceleration
55:00 – Coaching, Connection & The Power of “For You” Leadership
1:23:00 – Closing Thoughts: Truth, Trust, and The Climb Ahead
